Physician{40 s examining table upholstered top construction

ABSTRACT

An upholstered top for a physician&#39;&#39;s examining table, having a head and a foot section of which at least one section is pivotable. The top comprises a pair of frames adapted to be pivotally secured to the table, two pan-like liners which are secured to the frame, a one-piece foam cushion which is supported by the liners, and a formed one-piece vinyl cover. The cover is secured to the upper surface of the cushion, and it is also secured to the liners by a lip formed at the lower edge of the cover. Both the cushion and cover have an easily cleaned broad crease at the pivot axis to facilitate bending of the cushion and cover on pivoting of the head and foot sections. The foot section of the top has a shallow V-shaped cutaway at the end of the foot section to facilitate using a treatment pan while adequately supporting the patient.

llnited States atent Lelugas [45] Apr. 11, 1972 1 PHYSICIAN 'S EXAMININGTABLE 3,334,951 8/1967 Douglass, Jr. et a1 ..269/328 x UPHOLSTERED TOPCONSTRUCTION 3,339,913 9/ 1967 Anderson ..269/328 [72] Inventor: JosephJ. Lelugas, Two Rivers, Wis. [73] Assignee: American Hospital SupplyCorporation,

Evanston, Ill.

[22] Filed: Aug. 29, 1969 [21] App1.No.: 854,178

[52] US. Cl ..269/324, 5/91 [51] Int. Cl ..A61g 13/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..269/322, 323, 324, 325, 326,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,186,059 3/1916 Yarrington..5/91 X 2,581,646 l/ 1952 Froelich ..269/322 2,596,986 5/ 1952 Curtis..269/324 X 2,605,151 7/1952 Shampaine ..269/322 2,700,381 l/ 1955Powell ..269/328 3,137,493 6/1964 Kanzelberger et a1. ..269/322 PrimaryExaminer-Andrew R. J uhasz Assistant Examiner-James F. CoanAttomey-Hibben, Noyes & Bicknell 57] ABSTRACT An upholstered top for aphysician's examining table, having a head and a foot section of whichat least one section is pivotable. The top comprises a pair of framesadapted to be pivotally secured to the table, two pan-like liners'whichare secured to the frame, a one-piece foam cushion which is supported bythe liners, and a formed one-piece vinyl cover. The cover is secured tothe upper surface of the cushion, and it is also secured to the linersby a lip formed at the lower edge of the cover. Both the cushion andcover have an easily cleaned broad crease at the pivot axis tofacilitate bending of the cushion and cover on pivoting of the head andfoot sections. The foot section of the top has a shallow V-shapedcutaway at the end of the foot section to facilitate using a treatmentpan while adequately supporting the patient.

2 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented April 11, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 6676 2 65% as w llr. nk?

Patented April 1 1, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Full l l lllg l l l l Hl l H TW m? v WWW Patented April 11, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet S Patented A ril 11,1972 3,655,179

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 PHYSICIAN'S EXAMININ G TABLE UPIIOLSTERED TOPCONSTRUCTION DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Physicians examining tablesusually are provided with an upholstered top, supported from the floorby abase. A patient may sit or recline on the upholstered top.Frequently, the top has been provided with a head and a foot section,with at least one of these sections being pivotable. Such pivotablesection may be inclined at an angle to facilitate examination of thepatient by the physician. Usually the top comprises two frames adaptedto be secured to the cabinet, a liner which is secured to the frame, acushion resting on the liner, and a cover which fits over the cushionand is secured to the liner.

Frequently, the head and foot section were formed separately, and therewas a narrow gap between the head and foot sections of the table, as isshown in the Demack U.S. Pat. No. 2,267,973, so that at least one of thesections could be pivoted to an inclined position. The disadvantage ofthe narrow gap was that it was difficult to keep clean and accumulateddirt.

As shown in the Katsfey U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,893 a physicians examiningtable may be provided with a treatment pan at the foot end of the table.The treatment pan is used during certain types of examinations orprocedures. Heretofore, the treatment pan was contained underneath thetop, and a cutout was provided in the foot section of the top for accessto the pan. In order to support the patient adequately during other usesof the table, a special insert was placed in the cutout which closed thecutout area when the pan was not in use. The cutout and insert areexpensive to make, and for a low cost table the cutout and insert wereomitted.

In accordance with the present invention, these disadvantages of priorconstructions have been eliminated by providing a physicians examiningtable having a base, in this instance in the form of a cabinet, and anupholstered top, said top having pivotable head and foot sections. Theupholstered top comprises head and foot frames, liner means, a one-piececushion, and a one-piece cover, the cushion and cover extending overboth sections. The use of a one-piece cushion and a one-piece coversimplify assembly of the top. To provide for pivoting of the sections ofthe top and also to prevent wrinkling the cover, a broad crease isformed at the pivot axis of the head and foot sections in the cushionand cover. Since there are no seams and only a broad crease in the topbetween the sections, the top may be easily cleaned.

Further in the foot section of the top at the outward end thereof, thereis located a shallow V-shaped cutaway which permits the use of atreatment pan while still adequately supporting the patient. Byproviding the V-shaped cutaway in the foot end it is possible to use onetop for either an examining table with a treatment pan or an examiningtable without a treatment pan.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the front side of a physiciansexamining table having an upholstered top embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the foot end of the table shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the upholstered top shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the upholstered top;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the portion shown in FIG. 8.

An upholstered top for a physicians examining table embodying theinvention is shown in FIG. I. The table has a base, in this instance inthe form of a cabinet I l, and an upholstered top 12. The cabinet 11 maybe supported on the floor by height adjustable legs 13. The front sideand foot end of the cabinet as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may containdrawers 14 for storage of the physicians equipment, and a step stool 16.At the upper part of the foot end of the cabinet there may be providedstirrups 17 and a treatment pan 21 for the convenience of the physicianin performing certain examinations. Support brackets 22 for the top 12are secured to the cabinet 11.

The upholstered top 12 is supported on the cabinet 11 and has a headsection 23 and a foot section 24 which are pivotally secured to thesupport brackets 22 of the cabinet. The upholstered top (FIGS. 5 and 6)comprises head and foot frames 26 and 27 which are adapted to bepivotally secured to the cabinet, a single cushion 28 for both sections,liner means 29 which is secured to the frames and supports the cushion,and a cover 30. Formed between the head and foot sections 23 and 24 ofthe top is an easily cleaned wide or broad crease 31 which permits thecover 30 and the cushion 28 of the top to be pivoted without wrinkling,and in the end of the foot section 24 of the top is provided a shallowV-shaped cutaway 32 to pennit the use of a treatment pan 21 whileadequately supporting a patient on the top.

In more detail, as shown in FIG. 4, the head frame 26 follows theoutline of the top and is formed by a U-shaped tube 33. Across the openend of the U-shape of the tube 33 there is a cross brace 34 to which aresecured hinge links 36 upon which the head frame 26 pivots. Areinforcing box 35 further reinforces the frame 26 so that it may besupported in an inclined position from only one side. The head frame 26may be supported in an inclined position by support rod means 38 whichis located only at the back side of the table and which is pivotallysecured to the reinforcing box 35 and extends into the cabinet 11.

The foot frame 27 may be held in an inclined position by support linkmeans 39 which is located between the foot frame 27 and the top ofcabinet 11. The foot frame 27 also generally follows the outline of theupholstered top 12 and is formed from an M-shaped tube 37 having sideportions 41 and a center V-shaped portion 42 so as not to interfere withthe use of the treatment pan at the V-shaped cutaway 32. Across the openends of the M-shaped tube 37 there is a cross brace 43 to which aresecured hinge links 44 upon which the foot frame 27 pivots.

In this instance, the liner means of the upholstered top comprises twoseparate liners 54 and 56 (FIGS. 8 and 9) secured to the respectiveframes to support the cushion. The liners 54 and 56 are, in thisinstance, made from sheet metal and their components may be spot weldedtogether. The head liner 56 is generally in the shape of a shallowinverted pan having a flat top portion 57 with vertical side and endportions 61 bent downwardly at right angles from the flat portion 57.The outward corners of the flat portion are rounded, and thin strips 62are secured to the vertical sides 61 and follow the rounded corners ofthe flat portion 57. At the edge of the flat portion 57 adjacent thehinge, near the front and back sides, two cutouts 63 in the flat portionare provided to permit the hinge links 36 to extend therethrough and toclear the support brackets 22 when the top is horizontal. Near the outeredge, opposite the hinge edge, of the flat portion 57, is formed arectangular opening 64. Above and adjacent to this rectangular opening64 is secured, as by welding, an inverted box 66. The area enclosed bythe box is used to store a paper roll 65 (FIG. 1) which is supported bythe head liner.

The foot liner 56 is of similar construction as the head liner 54 andgenerally follows the outline of the upholstered top. The foot liner hasa flat portion with similarly formed vertical sides 67, rounded comerswith thin strips 70, and cutouts 71. The outer edge, opposite the hingeedge, of the foot liner, has at its center a shallow V-shaped cutaway 32for purposes heretofore described and has an additional rounded cornerformed at the center of the V.

The cushion 28 provides a soft support for the patient and is generallyshaped similar to the upholstered top 12. The cushion is secured to thehead and foot liners 54 and 56, but unlike the liners, the cushion ismade in one piece from, preferably, a cellular material such aspolyether urethane foam. The shape of the cushion 28 is best shown inFIGS. 4, 5 and 6. While the cushion 28 may be made by foaming thecushion in place underneath the cover 30, in this instance, the cushionis formed separately such as by molding the cushion. The cushion 28 hason its upper surface a dished portion 72, a pillow portion 73 at thehead end, raised side portions 74 which give the patient a feeling ofsecurity, and has vertical side portions 75. The underside of thecushion is hollowed out as is indicated at 76 to receive the head liner54 and foot liner 56. Further hollowing out as indicated at 81 isprovided in the cushion 28, on the front and back sides, near the hingelinks 36 and 44 of the frames for clearance between the hinge links andthe cushion.

Directly above the pivotal axis of hinge links 33 and 44 at the uppersurface of the cushion 28 is provided a broad crease having a generallyrectangular cross section. To form the crease 31 which has verticalwalls and a bottom wall and extends from the front side to the back sideof the cushion. The crease 31 is of sufficient depth to permit thecushion 28 of the top to bend at the crease when the sections 23 and 24are pivoted. The crease 3] is broad, so that the crease may be easilycleaned. This construction of the crease permits the sections to pivotbut yet is not so wide as to fail to give support to the patient sincethere is no large gap between the sections. The cushion has at its footend a shallow V-shaped cutaway 32 for purposes heretofore described.

The cover 30 fits over the cushion 28 and is secured to the liners 54and 56 and is formed from in one piece by such means as vacuum moldingfrom sheet vinyl. The mold in which the cover 30 is formed has the samegeneral shape as the upholstered top 12 so that the cover closely fitsthe cushion when the top is assembled. The vinyl is molded in one pieceto form the cover which has a top side 82, vertical sides 83 and abottom lip 84. Further by forming the cover to fit the top it is nolonger necessary to cut or gather the cover at the comers to provide aclose fit. The lip 84 is substantial in width and extends inwards fromthe bottom edge of the vertical sides 83. The lip is helpful in neatlysecuring the cover 30 to the head and foot liners 54 and 56. A crease 85is also formed in the cover, and it conforms generally with the crease31 in the top. The crease 85 permits the cover to be pivoted withoutwrinkling.

While the upholstered top 12 may be assembled by molding the cover andfoaming the cushion in place underneath the cover, in this instance thetop is assembled by placing the cushion 28 on both the head and footliners 54 and 56 which fit into the hollow 76 of the cushion. Adhesive87 is then applied to the dished portion 72 including the crease of thecushion 28 so as to secure the cover 30 to the upper surface of thecushion, but no adhesive is applied to the front and back side verticalside portions 75 of the cushion 28 so that no wrinkles will form, andthe sides 83 of the cover may slide over the cushion when the sectionsare moved to an inclined position. The inside of the bent sides 61 and67 and the thin strips 62 and 70 of the liner are also covered withadhesive 88, and the bottom lip 84 of the cover 30 is thereby secured tothe vertical sides 61 and 67 and strips 62 and 70 of the liner 54 and56. The entire upholstered top 12 assembly is neat and well fitted sincethe cover 30 is molded to fit and is secured to the cushion 28. A paperhold down and cut off strap 89 and the paper roll 65 is afiixed to thehead section of the top, and two wire paper hold down clips 91 areaffixed to the foot section so that a disposable covering for the top isprovided.

It is apparent that a novel and useful upholstered top for a physiciansexamining table has been provided wherein said top comprises a pair offrames, a one-piece cushion, liner means, which support the cushion, anda formed one-piece cover, said cover having a formed lower lip forneatly securing the cover to the liner. It is also apparent that a noveland useful upholstered top for a physician 5 examining table having atleast one pivotal section has been provided, whereinthe cover andcushion of the top have an easily cleaned broad crease at their pivotaxis. It is further apparent that a novel and useful upholstered top fora physicians examining table has been provided, wherein at the end ofthe foot section of the top is a shallow V-shaped cutaway to facilitatecertain examinations to be performed by the physician which require theuse of a treatment pan.

I claim:

1. An upholstered top for a physician's examining table having a base,said upholstered top comprising head and foot sections, said sectionsbeing pivotable with respect to each other, a single cushion for saidhead and foot sections, and a onepiece cover extending over saidcushion,-each of said sections including a tubular frame, said framesbeing adapted to be hinged to said base at their adjacent ends, each ofsaid sections including a liner, said liners being secured to andfitting over said frames, said single cushion having a hollowed-outunderside for receiving said liners, said one-piece cover beingadhesively secured only to said liners and said cushion, said foot endsof said cover and said cushion and the outer ends of said liner and saidframe for said foot section being V-shaped, said base having a treatmentpan underneath said-V-shaped ends for use in treating a patient.

2. An upholstered top as in claim 1, wherein said cover and cushion havea crease formed therein above said hinged ends of said frames, saidcrease being relatively wide to permit said one-piece cover and saidsingle cushion to bend without wrinkling and to facilitate cleaning ofsaid crease.

1. An upholstered top for a physician''s examining table having a base,said upholstered top comprising head and foot sections, said sectionsbeing pivotable with respect to each other, a single cushion for saidhead and foot sections, and a one-piece cover extending over saidcushion, each of said sections including a tubular frame, said framesbeing adapted to be hinged to said base at their adjacent ends, each ofsaid sections including a liner, said liners being secured to andfitting over said frames, said single cushion having a hollowed-outunderside for receiving said liners, said one-piece cover beingadhesively secured only to said liners and said cushion, said foot endsof said cover and said cushion and the outer ends of said liner and saidframe for said foot section being V-shaped, said base having a treatmentpan underneath said V-shaped ends for use in treating a patient.
 2. Anupholstered top as in claim 1, wherein said cover and cushion have acrease formed therein above said hinged ends of said frames, said creasebeing relatively wide to permit said one-piece cover and said singlecushion to bend without wrinkling and to facilitate cleaning of saidcrease.